Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood is nine games into his true freshman season. Underwood’s done a lot of great things, his talent and upside is undeniable, but in order to reach his full potential there
are areas of his game he can clean up.
Here’s a look at how Underwood has fared so far.
Passing and rushing stats
- Starting record: 6-3
- Completion percentage: 60.9
- Passing yards: 1,671
- Yards per pass attempt: 7.6
- Passing touchdowns: 7
- Interceptions: 3
- Rushing Yards: 272
- Rushing touchdowns: 4
Passing chart
Underwood is most effective on passes behind the line of scrimmage and from 0-9 yards. Anything past 10 yards, Underwood has had mixed results.
- Behind LOS: 44-of-51 (86.3 completion rate), 318 yards, one touchdown
- 0-9 yards: 55-of-79 (69.6 completion rate), 504 yards, one touchdown
- 10-19 yards: 24-of-47 (51.1% completion rate), 459 yards, three touchdowns, one interception
- 20+ yards: 11-of-33 (33.3% completion rate), two touchdowns, two interceptions
Drops
Drops have been an issue for Michigan receiving targets. In all, Michigan has 19 drops on the season, and Underwood has suffered the fifth-most drops in the Power Four and is tied for the highest drop rate at 12.4%. Underwood’s adjusted completion percentage, when factoring in these drops, is at 72.9%.
Underwood’s last three games
Underwood was great against then 5-0 Washington in a 24-7 win, going 20-of-27 for 230 yards and two touchdowns, but has had two undesirable games since. In a 31-20 win over Michigan State, Underwood was 8-of-17 for 86 yards and in a 21-16 win over Purdue, Underwood was 13-of-22 for 145 yards with an interception and a lost fumble.
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt’s evaluation of Underwood
“They need to develop him as a passer. I have not seen the amount of development from Bryce Underwood as a passer as I’d like to see. His footwork is still poor. He still misses way too many passes high, partly because his arm angle is way too low. There are things that he has to do a lot better to become a really great college football quarterback.”
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore on Underwood’s biggest growth
“I think the biggest growth, as you’ve seen throughout the year, is it’s broken down and he takes off. And I think he’s got an ability to do that. I think he’s gonna be even dangerous as he goes through this year and his career with that, and he’ll continue to get better.”
Underwood’s made some wow throws, he’s been phenemonal at times throwing on the run, and is incredibly dangerous running the football. However, for Underwood to reach his true potential and be a special player, he’ll have to be more consistent. His footwork is inconsistent and his mechanics can be fine-tuned. He’s been sailing passes high often this season and needs to mix in more touch passes with his high velocity throws. Underwood is a player who can do it all, but to be the best he must become a player who can do it all, all the time.
Underwood’s future is still very bright, but as Sherrone Moore said last Saturday, there are no freshmen on Michigan’s team anymore — Underwood’s had enough experience at this point as a collegiate player to know what’s working and what needs to be corrected. By all accounts, Underwood is a hungry player — with the most glaring example being his goals at Michigan of winning “A couple Heismans and at least one natty.”
